7 April 2026 - "Daily Current Affairs" Updates

GS Paper-1: Geography

⭐ Earthquake Lights

⭐ Why in News

After minor earthquakes in the Aegean Sea region (Turkey–Greece), unusual glowing

lights were observed in the sky, identified by scientists as earthquake lights.

⭐ What are Earthquake Lights?

• Luminous phenomena appearing as:

• Flashes

• Streaks

• Glowing spheres

• Vertical light beams

• These may occur before, during, or shortly after an earthquake.

⭐ Formation Mechanism

• Tectonic Movement

Earthquakes result from the movement, collision, or sliding of tectonic plates.

• Stress Build-up in Rocks

This movement creates intense stress in the Earth’s crust, especially in rocks rich in

quartz or certain minerals.

• Generation of Electric Charges

High pressure leads to the accumulation of electrical charges within rocks.

• Visible Light Emission

This produces visible glowing effects such as flashes or continuous beams, without heat

or flames.

⭐ Conditions Favouring Occurrence

• Geological Structure

More common in regions with straight and vertical fault lines.

• Rift Zones

Rift zones act as pathways for electric charges, making such phenomena more likely.

GS Paper-3: Environment

⭐ Earth Hour

⭐ Why in News

To mark 20 years of Earth Hour, the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) India, in

collaboration with the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, organised

awareness activities in Gwalior.

⭐ Nature of the Initiative

• Earth Hour is a global grassroots movement that encourages people to take action on

environmental issues and promote planetary conservation.

⭐ Organising Body

• Coordinated by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF).

⭐ Origin

• Began in Sydney, Australia, in 2007 as a symbolic event where people switched off

lights.

⭐ Timing

• Observed annually towards the end of March.

⭐ Key Features of Participation

• Lights-Off Campaign

Participants switch off non-essential lights for one hour (8:30 PM to 9:30 PM local time).

• Institutional Involvement

Governments, organisations, and companies participate by turning off lights in public

buildings, monuments, and landmarks.

• Awareness Generation

Highlights issues such as climate change and energy conservation.

GS Paper-1: Geography

⭐ Kariba Dam

⭐ Why in News

A 500 MW floating solar power project has been proposed at Kariba Dam (Zimbabwe)

by Green Hybrid Power in partnership with the Intensive Energy User Group.

⭐ Location

• A concrete arch dam constructed across the Zambezi River at the Kariba Gorge.

• Situated on the international border between Zambia and Zimbabwe.

⭐ Construction

• The dam was completed in 1959.

⭐ Structural Features

• A double-curvature concrete arch dam.

• Height: 128 metres.

⭐ Utility

• Plays a crucial role in hydropower generation for both Zambia and Zimbabwe.

⭐ Reservoir Formation

• Led to the creation of Lake Kariba, the largest man-made lake in the world by

volume.

⭐ Key Facts about Zambezi River

• The fourth longest river in Africa and the longest east-flowing river on the continent.

• Major waterfalls:

• Victoria Falls

• Chavuma Falls